St. Gertrude the Great had a true devotion for the Poor Souls in Purgatory. Throughout her life, she never kept any of the merit of her prayers and good works for herself. She gave them all to Jesus and Mary to offer up for others. She especially offered to God all of her merits for the Poor Souls in Purgatory, for she had a great compassion for their pains.

Well, having done this, as she lay on her deathbed, the devil came to tempt her.

“Wicked Gertrude,” he spewed, mocking her. “How proud and vain you are! And how cruel you have been to yourself. For in your pride, you have sought to pay the debts of others, without even paying your own debts! You have given all of your merits away. Now we will see what happens. When you die, you will pay for your sins in the fires of purgatory, and I will laugh at your folly, while you weep for your foolish pride.”

The humble Saint grew anxious at these words. She realized that, in justice, she had given everything away for others. Now, as she lay dying, she was about to approach God and would have nothing to supply for her many faults and failures.

But Our Lord, seeing her fear, came at once to reassure her.

“So that you may understand,” He said consolingly, “how greatly I value your selfless charity for the departed souls, I Myself will pay for your debts, and remove all of the pains that you would have suffered in Purgatory. And furthermore, as I have promised to return to you a hundred for one, I will also increase your eternal glory in Heaven abundantly, giving you a special reward for the charity which you have exercised towards My beloved souls in Purgatory, by sacrificing your own merits for their benefit.”

Needless to say, what had been a bitter temptation was, at Jesus’ words, transformed into an overwhelming consolation. And Our Lord’s promise is open to everyone who, like Gertrude, generously offer up their prayers, good works and even their merits for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. For charity covers a multitude of sins. And God will never be outdone in generousity. So let us take advantage and prove ourselves worthy of such an infinitely rich and loving God.